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December is zooming by, so let’s slow down and enjoy these 20 things to do in Calgary from December 16 to December 19. Canmore Cave Tours, Lougheed House Christmas, and more!
For more things happening around town, check out our events section.
Monday, December 16
Zoolights
What: The 23rd year of Zoolights features millions of lights, new themes, classic activities, and special guests. Bundle up and check out Wizarding Wednesdays, fire pits, the Wishing Tree, ice skating and more.
When: Now until January 4, 2020
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: The Calgary Zoo – 210 ST. Georges Drive NE, Calgary
Tickets: Online, General (16+) $19.95, Child (3-15) – $14.95
Calgary’s Official Poetry Slam
What: Calgary’s Official Poetry Slam and Open Mic welcomes everyone for a spoken word night. The sign-up sheet for both the open mic and the slam will be released at 7:00 pm, and the show will start at 7:30 pm.
When: December 16, 2019
Time: Sign-up 7 pm, show 7:30 pm
Where: Dickens Pub – 1000 9th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: $10 cash at door, $5 for those who identify as low income or students
Last Christmas
What: Lunchbox Theatre presents Neil Fleming’s Last Christmas, a comedic modern look at the joys and challenges of the holiday season, and a reminder that family just may be the greatest gift of all.
When: Now until December 21, 2019 (no shows on Sunday)
Time: Various times
Where: Lunchbox Theatre – 160 115 9th Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Gingerbread House Party
Leena Robinson/Shutterstock
What: Outcast Brewing hosts an adult gingerbread decorating party. Ticket includes one free drink and a gingerbread house to decorate, and there may even be a prize in the friendly competition.
When: December 16, 2019
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Outcast Brewing – 607 Manitou Rd SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Find Christmas Downtown 2019
What: The fourth annual Find Christmas Downtown event at the CORE Shopping Centre has corporations, non-profit organizations, and media partners coming together to decorate 150 trees throughout the space. The trees will remain at the mall for the holiday season until December 18. After that, they will be delivered to local families in need across the city.
When: Now until December 18, 2019
Time: Mall hours
Where: The CORE Shopping Centre — 324 8th Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: Free
Tuesday, December 17
A Christmas Carol
What: Theatre Calgary’s brand-new adaptation of the classic Dickens Christmas story A Christmas Carol, where Ebenezer Scrooge is paid a visit from the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future on Christmas Eve, and is forced to finally confront how his bad behaviour and attitude have affected others.
When: Now until December 28, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Max Bell Theatre, Arts Commons
Tickets: Online
Dinner & A Movie at Heritage Park
Sound of Music/IMDB
What: Heritage Park presents Dinner & A Movie Nights at the Selkirk Grille and the Gasoline Alley Museum. Enjoy a three-course movie-themed dinner at Selkirk Grille, then head to Gasoline Alley Museum for The Sound of Music. Attendees are also welcome to only watch the movie, and a cash bar and popcorn will be available for purchase during the screening.
When: December 17 and 18, 2019
Time: 5 to 9:30 pm
Where: Heritage Park Historical Village – 1900 Heritage Drive SW
Price: $44/person or $8 for movie only. Reserve dinner and a movie online, tickets for movie only are available at the door.
Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society’s 2nd Annual Indigenous Art Exhibition
What: Making Treaty 7 Cultural Society’s second annual Indigenous Art Exhibition is being showcased at a number of venues around Calgary this fall and winter. The exhibition features work from 17 artists.
When: Now until January 18, 2020
Time: Various times
Address: Calgary Central Library — 800 3 Street SE, Calgary
Admission: Free
Calgary Flames vs Pittsburgh Penguins
What: The Calgary Flames hit the ice versus the Pittsburgh Penguins at Scotiabank Saddledome on December 17.
When: December 17, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
What: Alberta Theatre Projects presents C.S. Lewis’ classic tale at the Martha Cohen Theatre until December 29. Watch as Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy team up with Mr. Tumnus to save Narnia from the White Witch and set the stage for the return of Aslan the Lion.
When: Now until December 29, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: Martha Cohen Theatre — 215 – 8th Ave SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Wednesday, December 18
Sounds of the Season with Calgary Philharmonic
What: Calgary Philharmonic gets festive with a series of Sounds of the Season concerts. Enjoy a selection of sacred and secular holiday favourites with friends and family.
When: December 18 and 19, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: Grace Presbyterian Church – 1009 15th Ave SW, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Aspen Crossing Polar Express 2019
Polar Express (Aspen Crossing/Facebook)
What: Hop on the train and journey to the North Pole, complete with hot cocoa, cookies, and dancing waiters. As the journey begins, passengers will be entertained by a reading of The Polar Express. Once you get to the North Pole, you’ll be greeted by Santa himself. From carolling to holiday entertainment, the Polar Express is a magical holiday experience for the whole family.
When: Various dates until December 24
Time: Various times
Where: Box 30, Mossleigh (1 km west of Mossleigh, AB on Highway #24)
Tickets: Available online, $75 per guest (sold in sets of two or four)
Lougheed House Christmas
What: Lougheed House will be filled to the brim with holiday spirit designed by eight top Calgary interior designers using a “repurpose/reuse/thrifting” method to decorate the house’s three floors in Christmas decor. Guests can also take family Christmas photos, enjoy a meal at the restaurant, and shop for local artisan crafts.
When: Wednesday to Sunday until January 5, 2020
Time: 11 am to 4 pm (Wednesday to Friday), 10 am to 4 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Lougheed House – 202-13 Avenue SW, Calgary
Admission: Free to $8.50
Fort Calgary Murder Mystery Dinner: Cut-Throat Christmas
What: Fort Calgary’s Murder Mystery Dinners are interactive evenings with food, live entertainment, and guests trying to solve a “who done it” mystery. Interact with the actors and the other guests while enjoying a locally sourced buffet dinner. Shows are created and performed by Pegasus Performances.
When: December 18, 2019
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: Fort Calgary – 750 9 Avenue SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
The Nutcracker: A New Adventure
What: A new comedic adaptation of the holiday favourite by K.L. Eveleigh and J.L. Dunsdon, presented by Calgary’s Young People’s Theatre. Directed by Jamie Dunsdon.
When: December 17 to 21, 2019
Time: Various times
Where: West Village Theatre – 2007 10 Avenue Southwest Calgary
Tickets: Online
Thursday, December 19
Canmore Cave Tours Spirit in the Mountain series 2019
Rats Nest Cave/Canmore Cave Tours
What: For four days this December, Canmore Cave Tours will be hosting their Spirit in the Mountain concert series, which will see various music groups performing live 100 metres underground. The venue is Rat’s Nest Cave, and over the course of four days attendees can check out performances by Calgary’s own indie-rock group The Silkstones, western Canadian music duo Trundled, Canmore native Seth Anderson, and folk-rock band Elk Run & Riot. Attendees will also enjoy the thrill of descending underground into the heart of Grotto Mountain, and spending the evening in the natural, cavernous halls.
When: December 19 to 23, 2019
Time: All concerts/tours start at 5 pm, with performances beginning at 8 pm.
Where: Rat’s Nest Cave – 202-129 Bow Meadows Crescent, Canmore
Tickets: Online, $149
Calgary Flames vs Montreal Canadians
What: The Calgary Flames take on the Montreal Canadians at Scotiabank Saddledome on December 19.
When: December 19, 2019
Time: 7 pm
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome – 555 Saddledome Rise SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Junior Claus
What: StoryBook Theatre presents Junior Claus, al all-ages story of the only son of Santa and Mrs. Claus. Junior is hesitant to take over the family business, and has more faith in his inventions than in Christmas magic. But when Christmas spirit levels drop, Junior must step up to grab the reins.
When: Wednesdays to Sundays until December 22, 2019
Time: 6:30 pm (Wednesday to Saturdays) 11 am and 3 pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
Where: Vertigo Studio Theatre – 115 9 Ave SE, Calgary
Tickets: Online
Elbow River Bells
What: Enjoy holiday music by Elbow River Bells at Country Hills Public Library on December 19.
When: December 19, 2019
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Where: Country Hills Public Library – 11950 Country Village Link NortheastCalgary
More Info: Online
Calgary Nativity Pageant
What: The annual Calgary Nativity Pageant tells the traditional story with live actors and animals as well as outdoor lighting and sound. Each performance is 13 minutes long and begins every 20 minutes from 7 to 9 pm.
When: December 19 until December 24, 2019
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Marina next to Heritage Park
Admission: Free
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